System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation
First Claim
1. A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on a body structure on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
- providing a tissue-effecting electrode terminal and a passive electrode coupled to a high frequency voltage source;
positioning the electrode terminal into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the fluid having an electrical conductivity of at least 0.2 mS/cm;
applying a high frequency voltage difference between the electrode terminal and the passive electrode such that an electrical current flows from the electrode terminal, through the region of the target site, and to the passive electrode through a current flow path, and wherein a thin layer of vapor is generated over at least a portion of the electrode terminal and the discharge of energy to the body structure is induced.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical probe (10) comprises a shaft (13) having an electrode array (58) at its distal end and a connector (19) at its proximal end for coupling the electrode array to a high frequency power supply (28). The shaft includes a return electrode (56) recessed from its distal end and enclosed within an insulating jacket (18). The return electrode defines an inner passage (83) electrically connected to both the return electrode and the electrode array for passage of an electrically conducting liquid (50). By applying high frequency voltage to the electrode array and the return electrode, the electrically conducting liquid generates a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode array so that target tissue may be cut or ablated. The probe is particularly useful in dry environments, such as the mouth or abdominal cavity, because the electrically conducting liquid provides the necessary return current path between the active and return electrodes.
623 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on a body structure on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
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providing a tissue-effecting electrode terminal and a passive electrode coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the fluid having an electrical conductivity of at least 0.2 mS/cm; applying a high frequency voltage difference between the electrode terminal and the passive electrode such that an electrical current flows from the electrode terminal, through the region of the target site, and to the passive electrode through a current flow path, and wherein a thin layer of vapor is generated over at least a portion of the electrode terminal and the discharge of energy to the body structure is induced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification